Prize for Oxford scientists
4 May 2001
A team of scientists from the University of Oxford has picked up a £2,500 runner-up prize in a prestigious business competition run by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).
Dominic Johnson and colleagues have set up Oxford Eco-tourism, a start-up company from the University of Oxford, to meet the demands of holidaymakers who want to see more emphasis placed on conservation and environmental issues.
"People are becoming more aware of the conservation of local environments and are looking for unusual holidays with individual itineraries. Oxford Eco-tourism can offer a unique experience by taking people to far-flung research projects and giving them the chance to pay Nature for their holiday," says Dominic. Part of the cost of the holiday will be a direct contribution to the research, conservation initiatives or the local communities.
The tours, led by an experienced tour leader and a wildlife scientist, will provide a unique opportunity for people to become involved in a real research project. They can, for example, study Cheetahs in Namibia, work on a project to save the Ethiopian Wolf from extinction, or track lions in the Kalahari. And the experience doesn't end when they get home - they can continue studying their favourite animal by following its progress via the internet.
Further information
University of Oxford Press Office
Tel: 01865 280528
David Slater
Tel: 01865 271200
NERC Press Office
Natural Environment Research Council
Polaris House, North Star Avenue
Swindon, SN2 1EU
Tel: 01793 411561
Mob: 07917 557215
Notes
1. Other members of the Oxford Eco-tours team are Sasha Norris, David Slater, Gavin King and Christian Kollinsky.
2. The winning team in the NERC Business plan Competition is from the Centre for Global Atmospheric Modelling at Reading University. They received £12,500 for their business development.
3. NERC leads in providing independent research and training in the environmental sciences.
Press release: 06/01
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